Council recognizes deputy city clerk and approves parks-code updates on first reading

Jacksonville Beach recognized Deputy City Clerk Jody Lynn Bird for earning the Certified Municipal Clerk designation and approved first-reading changes to the parks and recreation chapter of the city code.

Mayor and council praised Bird for nearly 10 years of service with the city, work on elections and leadership of the Citizen Information Academy. "Please join me in congratulating Jody for her efforts in becoming a certified municipal clerk," the mayor said.

Trevor Hughes, chief of parks development and maintenance, summarized proposed amendments to chapter 20 to align the code with current operations, strengthen enforcement, add severe-weather and wildlife-management provisions, and rename the tennis center. The ordinance had no public speakers and passed on first reading; the second reading is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026.

Council members complimented the renaming of the tennis courts and discussed goose management and related enforcement ideas.

Next steps: Planning and parks staff will implement the ordinance language and return for a second reading in January 2026.